Paradox Landscape

A void in networks, break in connections, closed-open space and unsafe terrain – an epicentre of paradoxes and opportunities. As topographically and topologically dynamic landscapes, landfills exist as a unique paradox of public space which is not easily accessible or visible to the public which created them.

The final resting place for most refuse/solid waste, landfills, have become underappreciated and often an overlooked form of public space. The contemporary perception of landfills, and refuse disposal, is that these landscapes should be concealed from public observation. This perception removes the link, and subsequent understanding, of where the waste that they create goes to ‘die’.

Infrastructure and Agency

Agency is the capacity of an agent - a person or entity - to act. This capacity does not imply a specific moral dimension to the ability to make the choice to act, therefore moral agency is a distinctly different concept. In sociology, an agent is an individual that engages with a social structure (Wilson and Sphall 2002).

Looking at agency in infrastructure, within a neighbourhood scale context in Johannesburg, one could see the prevalent Trolley Pullers as infrastructural agents. These agents are also transient as traverse the context of the neighbourhood collecting recyclable goods. If they were provided with the necessary tools and incentive to collect the fallen leaves as they walk their daily routes, one would be integrating a new infrastructure into an existing one - thus increasing efficiency.

Neighbourhood Immersion

What purpose does open, green, public space serve within the Jeppestown community?

Transient vs. Temporary

A walk-through of Jeppestown revealed the minimal amount of open, green, public space within the area - limited to one park. Furthermore, how the uses of this park were informal and community based. A deeper look into these uses, revealed two distinct yet similar user groups: ‘Transient’ and ‘Temporary’.



According to The Collins English Dictionary, ‘Temporary’ means not permanent; provisional; lasting only a short time; transitory. Which in the context of Jeppestown park, relates to the people who come to the park by choice. This is a conscious decision made for social, relaxation, eating or playing.

According to The Collins English Dictionary, ‘Transient’ means for a short time; transitory; change in the state of a system. Which in the context of Jeppestown park, relates to the people who use of the park to walk through as a path of convenience. Walking through the park is a sub-conscious route completed twice a day.




















In order to engage and challenge the sub-conscious nature of the transient users, I conducted a four stage experiment:
1. String across the arterial path, on the floor.
2. String across the arterial and secondary paths, on the floor.
3. String across the arterial path, at head height.
4. String across all paths, at head height.




As the experiment proceeded, everyone would sub-consciously walk around the ‘obstacle’. As options were eliminated, people would begin to make a decision on the best solution. By the end of the experiment, the sub-conscious transient pedestrians were actively changing their routes and engaging with the park in a slightly higher degree.